Dakota Country Magazine October 2016 Edition - Page 95

struggled to boat a salmon, but this
year seemed different. You knew before you hit the water you had a solid
chance of hooking into a Chinook.
Odds were better this year, for sure.
It’s really not complicated. Put a
blue or white flasher with a blue or
white squid 8 to 12 feet behind the
downrigger ball and drop it down
80-85 feet. Put the motor in forward
and go.
It was a good year for catching fish on flashers. In fact, at first
glance, that’s what we saw most,
if not all, salmon being caught on.
Occasionally, we’d hear of a fish taken
on herring.
So, it was a flasher and squid
game. I had to put away my spoon
box and dig out flashers and squids.
We did manage to catch a few salmon in late July on spoons, but that
bi te seemed short-lived. Flashers and
squids down deep comprised the
action.
Scott Hobbs of Scott’s Bait and
Tackle in Pick City told Dakota Country it’s been one of the better years on
record.
“Over the last 10 years it’s been
one of the better seasons,” he said.
“Numbers of fish, size of fish. It’s
definitely better than years past.”
Guys were fishing down 110
feet and catching salmon. Hobbs
mentioned the bite was deeper than
usual because the thermocline set
up around 110 feet during mid- to
late-summer, which seemed deeper
than usual.
Average size of the salmon Scott
has seen has been approximately 7 to
SEASONAL SALMON
TACKLE CLOSEOUT
8 pounds.
“There were some bigger fish,
but not many,” Hobbs said. “But
remember, we expect next year to
be better than this year, so hopefully
things continue to be good.”
As far as tackle presentations,
Hobbs said traditional flashers and
squids worked well this season.
“Colors were all over the place...
white on white, blue on blue and
green on green, as well as a blue
flasher with pink squid produced
salmon,” explained Hobbs. “Flies
worked well for some anglers for a
short time, as well as herring with or
without a flasher.
About September 1 or shortly
thereafter, reports began coming in
about salmon being caught shallow.
“There’s even some salmon being
caught shallow from anglers casting
from boats,” Hobbs mentioned in
early September.
When asked how he’d rate the
season, Hobbs explained it was fantastic.
“We had a pretty good season.
We’re pretty happy with it,” he said. “I
would say we’ve had about an 8 out
of 10 season.”
South Dakota had a great season
as well, but fewer fish and bigger fish.
Several salmon in the 20-lb. range
were boated, a couple we know of
over 30 pounds. That’s amazing. Just
to have an opportunity to catch a fish
of that proportion in the Dakotas is
wonderful.
Bismarck’s Best Lodging Value!
By Choice Hotels
1030 E. Interstate Ave
Bismarck (701) 223-1911
Take Exit 159 off I-94
(North Side)
• Large Indoor Swimming Pool, Wading Pool
& Whirlpool
• King Business, Large Two-Bed and Family Suites
• Pool-Side Rooms
• Hot Complimentary Breakfast
• Conferance Rooms for All Occasions
• Restuarants Nearby
• Airport/Hospital Courtesy Transportation
• Full-Service Business Center
• Free High-Speed Internet in All Rooms
• SMOKE-FREE LOUNGE & CASINO
929 Gateway Drive
Bismarck (701) 223-4009
Take Exit 159 off I-94
(North Side)
• 100-foot Waterslide
• King Business, Double Queen, Two-Room and
Presidential Suites
• LCD TVs
• Hot Complimentary Breakfast
• Conferance Rooms
• Airport/Hospital Courtesy Transportation
• Restuarants Nearby
• Full-Service Business Center
• Free High-Speed Ethernet & Wireless Internet
• Modern Exercise Facility Room
By Choice Hotels
RAY'S SPORT & MARINE
CHECK THESE BOAT PACKAGE SPECIALS!
30% OFF • 30% OFF • 30% OFF
Sale thru October 31, 2016
• Flashers & Dodgers
• Assorted Squids
• Flies • Flutter Spoons
• Herring Hoods
• Downrigger Releases
•Parts & Accessories!
(In-Stock Items Only)
Look for the
RED TAGS (20-50% OFF!)
throughout Entire Store!
2001 E. Expy • Bismarck, ND
701-222-3092
1-800-880-4665
M-F 8:00-8:00
Sat. 8:00-5:00
www.dakotacountrymagazine.com
2016 LUND 2175 Pro V DEMO
Mercury 350 Verado
Mercury 15 hp Pro Kicker
ShorLand’r Custom Trailer
Loaded with Options
Zero Hours!
$75,900
2016 LUND 208 TYEE DEMO
Mercury 300 Verado
Boat Mate Custom Trailer
Loaded with Options
$64,500
218-287-9100 • 2115 SE Main Ave, Moorhead, MN
• www.raysmarinemoorhead.com
Dakota Country, October 2016, Page 95